2017 Kia Sorento

2017 Kia Sorento

VS

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Safety Comparison

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Kia Sorento are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable front seat belts.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sorento the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 113 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Equinox has not been tested, yet.

Warranty Comparison

The Sorento comes with a full 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Equinox’s 3-year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 2 years and 24,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sorento 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Equinox. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Equinox ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

Reliability Comparison

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sorento second among midsize suvs in their 2016 Initial Quality Study. The Equinox isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chevrolet is ranked 6th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2017 Auto Issue reports that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Kia 10 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine Comparison

The Sorento has more powerful engines than the Equinox:

Horsepower

Sorento 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl.

185 HP

Sorento EX 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

240 HP

Sorento 3.3 DOHC V6

290 HP

Equinox 1.5 turbo 4 cyl.

170 HP

Equinox 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

252 HP

Fuel Economy and Range Comparison

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sorento uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Equinox with the 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. engine requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Sorento’s cargo area is larger than the Equinox’s in almost every dimension:

Sorento

Equinox

Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)

14.7”/44.7”/78”

n.a./34.9”/67.4”

Min Width

41.2”

40.7”

Height

33.1”

31”

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Sorento. The Equinox doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics Comparison

The Sorento’s optional front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches. The Equinox ’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully.

The Sorento has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Equinox doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are available on the Sorento to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Equinox doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Sorento offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Equinox doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Sorento (except L) offers an optional Smart Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Equinox doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

Recommendations Comparison

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sorento, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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